Chapter 10 - A Storm Cell Churns

"Hello Ms Tornado, what are you doing on a branch line?" Thomas asked as he and Percy watched the big deep blue pacific engine slowly rolling towards them.

She had a glum look on her face and seemed very distracted.

"Ms Tornado?" Percy called to her.

Tornado seemed startled as she looked up and saw the two little tank engines sitting there gazing at her with concern.

"Oh hello," she said, her voice sounding flat and out of energy.

"Are you okay Ms Tornado?" Thomas asked.

"I'm fine I guess," she said quietly.

"You don't sound fine, is something bothering you?" Thomas asked.

"It's just," Tornado said with a deep sigh. "Everyone's keeping secrets from me and I'm fed up with it."

Thomas and Percy glanced at each other.

"Maybe it's to keep you safe?" Thomas suggested and Tornado glared at him.

"I know about Mallard, I know what he's capable of I've dealt with him before," She said coldly stunning Thomas and making Percy look confused.

"Who's Mallard?" Percy asked. "Is he Duck's brother or something?"

"A very nasty engine from the mainland, he's Spencer's younger brother," Thomas explained. "You know that he's here?"

"I'm not stupid," Tornado said, annoyed. "Everyone's trying to keep it secret from me so I don't do something stupid like I did with Green Arrow. But I know Mallard, I know how he works, Sir Nigel taught me how to deal with him."

Thomas looked at Tornado curiously.

"I promised Gordon I wouldn't get involved but I know Arrow's planning something for the opening tomorrow," Thomas said and Tornado rolled her eyes.

"Arrow's my friend but Mallard won't fall for his trick, I know what he's planning, Mallard's more cunning than he realises," Tornado said bitterly. "I don't want Arrow to get hurt."

"Well," Thomas began slyly. "I did promise Gordon not to involve myself with Arrow's plans… he never said anything against making my own with you."

Tornado looked up at the little engine, unsure of his suggestion.

"Mallard is a big engine, he's one of the fastest in the world and he could hurt you, Little Thomas," Tornado warned him. "I don't want another engine to get hurt again."

"Perhaps I could get Henry or James to help," Thomas offered. Tornado just gazed at him sadly.

"I'm not sure, I don't want to get anyone into trouble," she said nervously.

"What about Henry's siblings?" Percy put forward. "They'll be at the opening tomorrow. Maybe they could do something!"

Tornado seemed to brighten up, her eyes widening in realisation.

"Biggin Hill would be perfect!" She said excitedly. "She wouldn't pass down an opportunity to cause drama with one of LNER's most powerful engines!"

"So tell us! What's your plan Ms Tornado! We can help!" Thomas urged and Tornado gave a sly smile.

"Well, I have a few ideas," she smiled. "But first, I'd like to speak to your controller."

"I'll go find him for you Ms Tornado!" Percy piped up wanting to be helpful.

Tornado turned her attention to Thomas who sat patiently waiting for her to explain.

"Arrow's plan revolves around someone distracting Mallard, but he hasn't taken into account that Mallard will have thought of that and have Truro locked down and guarded. He's banking on the Scotsman giving himself up for Truro." Tornado explained, "Mallard won't let Truro go, not unless there's intense pressure."

"So what are you thinking?"

"If I tell you it'll ruin my surprise won't it?" Tornado said slyly and Thomas grinned at her.

Green Arrow was surprised to find Tornado sitting at the platform outside Ulfstead Castle. From what he understood, Stainer and Sir Robert had tried to discourage the young iron from visiting the castle due to Mallard's presence.

"What are you doing here Ms Tornado?" He asked as he pulled to a stop beside her.

"Mr Stainer asked me to be apart of the opening, he wanted me to take your place after he said you were busy," she said and Arrow looked shocked.

"You? But, but, I mean no offence but are you sure you can handle-"

"I can handle Mallard Arrow and I've invited a few friends from the mainland too," she said dismissively. "You worry too much, you know that?"

Green Arrow felt himself blush then looked at his buffers.

"Oh, you know about Mallard then?"

"It's not hard to figure out, besides my driver said he saw Mallard come through on his way home after work the other day," Tornado said.

She looked over at Arrow.

"Listen Arrow, I know I'm young and inexperienced but it really hurts when you and Rebecca conspire against me to keep secrets from me," She said, the hurt obvious in her voice. "You both mean well, but it hurts me Arrow. I feel like you can't trust me."

Green Arrow gazed at the bigger engine then smiled at her.

"I'm sorry Tornado," he said quietly. "I guess I still see you as the young baby engine I befriended a decade ago. I hadn't realised how much you'd grown."

Tornado smiled back at him knowingly.

"Well, my stupid actions last year didn't help I guess," she said eyeing his boiler guilty. "But I am trying to do better."

"That you are," Arrow remarked. "You're not as anxious anymore. And you're becoming more confident."

"Well, Scotsman helped with that," Tornado blushed. "You did too. Even if you don't think so."

"Ah, I just smooze around and be a pest mostly, nothing really to learn from that," Arrow said dismissively. He glances up at the Castle looming over them. "Do you know about Truro?"

Tornado's smile faded and she followed his gaze up to the dark shape in the distance.

"I have a plan to get him out," Arrow said eagerly but Tornado ignored him.

"You're not going to save him like that," Tornado said pointedly. "Mallard will have had the workers lock Truro's wheels and his controls. Simply going up to him and starting a fight with him while Duck goes around the back to shunt him out isn't going to work."

Arrow was shocked.

"How did you-"

"You're smart Arrow, very smart, but you can be a bit predictable," Tornado said looking back at the V2 who was now staring at her shocked. "And if I saw through you plan from a mile away then Mallard's most definitely seen through it."

"Ah damn," Arrow looked away from Tornado sheepishly. "I suppose you putting it out there like that does make me a little obvious. So I assume you have a back up?"

"I do indeed," Tornado grinned.

"Want to let me in on it?"

"Not really no, you might spoil it," Tornado said teasingly. Green Arrow pouted at her.

"But Ms Tornado, I'm your friend," he said sulkily. Tornado just laughed at him.

"Yes, but still no," she said with a smirk. "But I promise you'll like it."

"Just, be careful," Arrow said worriedly. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

Tornado smiled at him reassuringly.

"I'll be extra careful, just for you Arrow," Tornado said. "Some one needs to make sure that your silly little plans don't back fire in your face."

"They're not silly plans, they're quite ingenious, if I say so myself," Arrow said proudly. Tornado just rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"If you say so Mr Arrow," Tornado smirked at him. "I'll tell you this though, I think Duck's going to love it."

"Is he really?" Arrow said curiously.

The newest branch of the National Railway Museum was a grand building, with a glass house-like entrance, pillars of faux marble and a large open round house like the one at York where Mallard was usually kept.

The massive halls were lined with rolling stock, some coaches and rebuild recreations of long-extinct engines and engines of various gauges.

It was pristine, it's marble floors glossy and shining and the architecture was that of Art Deco, with posters and information plaques and banners having that strange Deco flair.

Mallard stared down at the smaller engine as he shunted City of Truro right into the back corner of the floor.

"This doesn't change anything," Truro said calmly as his controls were locked and his wheels clamped to prevent him from moving. "I'm not going to tell you anything about the Gold Dust and I doubt the others will too."

"Ah yes, but Scotsman has a soft heart," Mallard said and Truro rolled his eyes.

"You're really banking on that one variable aren't you?" Truro sighed. "Scotsman isn't even here, he's on the mainland."

"He'll come running back once news spreads of the opening gala and he sees you trapped here," Mallard scoffed.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Truro said calmly. Outwardly he showed no distress, Mallard wasn't worth such an indignant reaction from him. Inwardly, he was terrified. He knew Mallard was right, Scotsman would drop everything and risk his life to get back to Ulfstead Castle if he saw the clamps and restrains placed on Truro.

"Regardless, Scotsman has to return to Sodor at some stage, his engine is here," Mallard smirked and Truro narrowed his eyes. "If I destroy his soul, that leaves his engine for the taking."

"You can't place your soul in another engine," Truro scolded him angrily. "Gold Dust doesn't work like that. You'll only end up destroying your own soul."

Mallard gave an indignant huff. "I can wait as long as I need to, Great Western."

"Didn't you try and get Scotsman scrapped?" Truro pointed out. "Why would you want to steal his engine if you tried to scrap him?"

"Because for some reason, the humans insist on Scotsman being their golden child," Mallard snarled venomously. "I know that they've pumped him full of Gold Dust more than the average engine. The fact that he can talk to ghosts is proof of that!"

Truro raised and eyebrow at the A4 Pacific.

"Really? You believed that story Green Arrow was going around telling people?" He said amused. "My aren't you gullible."

"Then tell me, why can't Great Northern or Silver Fox talk speak to the dead but Scotsman can?" Mallard asked and Truro froze in shock. "They've both been separated from their engines, yet they don't have even an ounce of power that Scotsman has."

Truro said nothing and Mallard grinned a malicious grin.

"See, I'm right aren't I?" he said and Truro glared at him. "Even still in his engine, Scotsman had strange connection to the gold dust, his subconscious was able to control it, interact with it and I will find out why, Great Western."

Truro stared at Mallard. How the hell did he know about Scotsman's affinity with Gold Dust? No one was supposed to know about it. Not even Scotsman knew how special he was. It was a secret that Sir Gresley had kept from everyone.

"You think that the Gold Dust is why Scotsman is so popular, so loved by the general public don't you?" Truro realised and Mallard rolled his eyes.

"Isn't it obvious?" The A4 snapped.

"You're an idiot, Scotsman is popular because he's not a conceited selfish brat like you've always been," Truro snapped angrily.

"You're getting defensive, I am right," Mallard concluded ignoring Truro's insult. "The Board tells me that the metal for Scotsman's next rebuild is going to be fused with Gold Dust. Imagine how much attention that undeserving engine is going to get. I should be getting such a rebuild."

"Well then," Truro said, fed up with Mallard. "If you're so close with the board, why don't you ask them to give you a 'golden' rebuild?"

"Sir Robert controls this Golden Well, Sir Nigel, Hamilton and yourself refuse to allow any engines or people access to the other golden wells," Mallard pointed out. "Apparently only several engines were granted permission to even receive that knowledge. To the point that they'd wipe the memories of those who found out."

Truro glared at Mallard.

"I see Sir Nigel's efforts were wasted on you," he growled and Mallard smirked.

"Oh he tried to wipe my memories, Great Western, but given the choice, he'd rather save the sad little Great Northern," Mallard taunted. "I don't see why really, he's just a sad pathetic human man with an obsession on his stupid little brother."

"Great Northern holds much regret for his past actions," Truro snapped defensively. "How dare you threaten him!"

Mallard snorted.

"What would happen if Scotsman found out that you knew about his brother all along? What would happen if he knew all the secrets you've kept from him? That's doesn't sound like something a good partner would do," Mallard said quietly and Truro became furious.

"Shut up! You know nothing about the both of us you horrid engine!" Truro suddenly shouted causing some of the NRM staff to immediately turn and round on them.

"What's going on here?" He heard Sir Robert call to them and make his way over. He looked at Truro concerned. "Why does Truro have restrains on his wheels and in his cab? These are not called for in a static display."

One of Mallard's crew hung out his cab to leer over the Earl.

"Orders from higher up sir," he said with a nervous glance at Mallard. "Nothing we can do."

Sir Robert didn't look at all convinced and frowned at him.

"I will see," he said with a suspicious glance at Mallard and Truro respectively for stalking off with a pensive look on his face.

Mallard looked back at Truro with a sly smirk. Truro only glared back at him.

"That Green Arrow will be trying to free you today," Mallard said. "It will be most entertaining to see him fail."

Truro said nothing as he watched Mallard take his place on the plinth in front of him. Truro was cornered in, no way from any engine to get to Truro without get past Mallard's enormous bulk.

He honestly didn't see how he was getting out of this one.

He hoped Scotsman was alright.

No.4498 Sir Nigel flinched as the doors to his personal sheds were flungs all open, the Gresley family's servant scurrying about like mice, busying themselves as the late afternoon sun shone down over the estate.

He was silently pulled from his berth by the shunting diesel they kept around as was the little tank engine, Sylvia.

"What's going on Sir Nigel?" She asked him confused. "It's a little late for a show and shine."

"Ah I expect it's that visitor North was prattling about the other day," Sir Nigel yawned sleepily. "Though it is a bit rude and last minute I must say, I haven't even washed down."

Sylvia grumbled next to him in agreement as the manors owners car arrived. A spotless black Bentley driven by a personal shoffuer.

Sir Nigel inwardly groaned, as loyal as he was to the Gresley family he did not like Roman Gresley. A very arrogant and self absorbed man who did not treat his kids or wife with any respect.

He had married into the family and so Sir Nigel never considered him one of their own. He clearly had married in only for the name and the legacy. Numerous affairs made that exceedingly clear. Jaqueline, his wife had filed for divorce but that man refused to sign the papers.

A truly disgusting manner of a human.

He watched as North stepped out of the car and opened the door for Jaqueline who smiled at him brightly. Roman stayed in the car like the lazy human he was. Sir Nigel was not surprised but he still felt the disgust creep into his boiler.

What a waste of a human being.

"Hello Lady Jaqueline, Hello North!" Sir Nigel greeted the lady and the human engine.

"My Sir Nigel, you look as wonderful as ever," Jaqueline beamed at him.

"You're kind, but I have not been washed for the occasion my lady," Sir Nigel said regretfully. "I am not my best."

"Nonesense!" She said brightly. "You too Sylivia, what a stunning think you are."

"Yes ma'am, thank-you ma'am!" The tank engine chirped happily.

"May I ask what the occasion is my Lady?" Sir Nigel asked. "It's a little late to have visitors, I must say."

"Ah yes, I apologise for not telling you," Lady Jaqueline said. "I had to deal with my husbands awful handling of professional situations but I managed to get into contact with the director of the NRM. She and her brother are retuning for a family visit."

"Ms Olivia and Mr Gordon?!" Sylivia squealed excitedly. "They're coming here?"

Lady Jaqueline nodded. "Indeed they are. Ms Olivia said that she's bringing a surprise."

"Ah her new son I expect," Sir Nigel smiled. "What a delightful turn of events. Do you know what engine they're travelling with?"

"She didn't say," Lady Jaqueline mused. "But I assume that it's one from Sodor. That's where she's currently living with her family."

Sir Nigel saw North suddenly go rigid and pale at the mention of Sodor as in the distance the sound of a steam engine eched across the estate.

"My, my, my it sounds like Scotsman!" Sylvia said excitedly. "I've always wanted to meet him!"

Sir Nigel frowned. "That's not right, Scotsman is under going an almost complete rebuild."

They watched as one of Scotsman's coached backed into view with a light blue steam locomotive as it's engine.

"Who is that?" Lady Jaqueline stared at the engine confused. "I thought Scotsman was the only remaining A3 Pacific."

"This must be the famous Gordon of Sodor," Sir Nigel grinned widely. "Oh my what surprise Ms Olivia has brought to us!"

He glanced at North who had turned as pale as a sheet as he watched Gordon slow to a stop next to Sir Nigel and Sylvia.

"My goodness hello my good engine!" Sir Nigel greeted him enthusiastically, catching the Sudrian engine off guard. "You must be the brother Scotsman always talks about!"

"I- really? Scotsman talks about me?" Gordon said completely flustered. "I um- I uh- I'm Gordon."

"I know," Sir Nigel grinned at him. "It's wonderful to finally meet you at long last. I am Sir Nigel Gresley."

"Oh, the engine that Scott always said was the leader of the LNER," Gordon said. "Yes, Scott speaks about you very highly."

"He has no need to," Sir Nigel said dismissively. "How is Scotsman anyway? Not being too much of a menace I hope."

"Well, um, it's a little awkward to explain," Gordon said as he glanced back and saw several people disembarking from Otis.

A tall, muscular man in a long dark green over coat with LNER and the winged emblem of the Flying Scotsman went over to greet Sir Nigel.

"Hello Sir Nigel," the man smiled at him and Sir Nigel gazed at him shocked before a look of recognition and warmth replaced it.

"Flying Scotsman," he said and the man grinned a familiar smirk at him.

"The one and only," the man bowed like a showman and Sir Nigel laughed while Gordon rolled his eyes.

"Stop showing off will you?" Gordon scolded and Scotsman pouted at him.

"I'm just saying hello you ridiculous old fart," Scotsman waved at him annoyed.

"Old fart? Old Fart!" Gordon thundered angrily.

"Scotsman! Stop teasing your brother!" Olivia voiced shouted at him from the coach as Lady Jaqueline left them to help.

Scotsman gave a annoyed sigh.

"Yes Ms Olivia!" He called back.

Sir Nigel saw North trying to sneak away with her and immediately called out to him.

"North, aren't you going to say hello to your brothers?" He scolded and North froze as he felt Scotsman's and Gordon eyes suddenly focus on the back of him intently.

North turned and gazed at the three engines looking at him, Gordon looking confused, Sir Nigel looking extremely annoyed. Scotsman just stared at North with an unreadable blank expression.

For the longest time, North did nothing but stand there feeling completely naked before doing the only thing he felt that he could do, and quickly turned heel and left as fast as he could.

That night Great Northern was shocked to find one of the new Pacific A4s in one of the berths at the yard. She was in LNER Green and had the Flying Scotsman faceplate sitting over her forehead.

Was Flying Scotsman being replaced?

"Who are you? What are you doing here! Why do you have the Flying Scotsman's plate?" He demanded and the engine squeaked in fright and rolled back into her berth.

Pretty Polly instantly rounded on him.

"This is Silver Fox, she's one of the four new Pacifics!" She said rolling out in front of the engine to shield her from North. "She's here to help Scotsman during the Silver Jubilee. Be nice to her!"

North huffed and glared at her.

"You mean his replacement," North growled. "Letting himself be weak in the face of these new, new, imposters!"

"Another ridiculous notion from your smokebox North?" A voice called from behind him. "The dear thing has no intention of replacing me, stop being paranoid."

As North backed into his berth he saw 4472 waiting patiently for the turntable. North glared at his brother.

"If you become complacent she will," North growled and Scotsman rolled his eyes at him.

"You're ridiculous," he huffed. Scotsman turned his attention towards Silver Fox. "Hello Silver Fox, despite my brother's insistent rudeness, I am happy to have your help. There's so much added traffic due to the Silver Jubilee, Polly and myself have been struggling."

Silver Fox smiled at him.

"I'm glad to help Mr Scotsman sir, I'm just nervous, I'm brand new and I haven't pulled a train before let alone one so famous. I just hope that I don't disappoint you," she said quietly.

"Disappoint Scott? He's the easiest engine to impress!" Polly laughed. "You'll do fine, just make sure that you have coaches and not trucks. Scott likes to trick new engines."

"Polly! You've ruined my surprise!" Scotsman scolded her and Polly just grinned smugly at him.

"No teasing the new engine you menace," Polly scolded him. "Fox is a sweetheart, I won't have you being a complete gremlin to her."

Silver Fox looked confused. "Surprise?"

"Scotsman likes to pull tricks on new engines, especially the little ones," Polly explained. "But if he does it to you, you can come to me and I will deal with him for you."

"You can be such a bore sometimes little sister," Scotsman teased her as he backed into the shed next to her. "Silver Fox is a big girl, she can handle herself."

Pretty Polly ignored him and spoke to Silver Fox instead. "Sweetheart I'll show you the ropes tomorrow so you don't have to deal with this lumbering idiot."

Scotsman wheeshed steam at her in response.

"I'm not an idiot," he argued but was ignored.

"Thank-you Ms Pretty Polly," Silver Fox said with a blush. "You're so nice to me."

"Oh think nothing of it, I just don't want Scotsman to give you the impression that we A3s are a crude and indignant bunch," Polly said with a smile. "And you can just call me Polly sweetie."

"Thank-you Ms Polly."

"I'm not crude or indignant am I little Peony?" Scotsman asked the pilot tank engine in the berth next to him.

Peony just gave a snort of laughter and Scotsman's face morphed into one of pure insult.

"Oh I get it, thanks," he huffed annoyed and reversed back into his berth.

"You're just silly, Mr Scotsman," she said and Scotsman began to sulk. "You're a very silly engine as Ms Polly says. You make the rest of us laugh."

"I'm not silly," he muttered under his breath now sulking deeply. "And I like making the rest of you laugh."

"Enough of this," North snapped angrily and the engines all looked at him. "You're all behaving indignantly."

"We're not the ones who got put on to express freight duty for arguing with passengers," Pretty Polly shot back and Scotsman suddenly rolled forward to rejoin the conversation.

"You did what? North? You of all engines?" He said shocked and North's face became red in embarrassment and anger.

"It was a lapse in judgement," he said through gritted teeth. "It will not happen again."

"Great Northern isn't as high and mighty as he seems!" Polly sneered. "It's about time you got pushed down a peg. I vote for Scotsman taking over as the A3 leader."

"Polly don't, not in front of the new engine," Scotsman warned his sister but she seemed very intent on antagonising North.

"You think someone as unrefined and childish could ever be strong enough to lead our class?" North scoffed. "4472 is still as childish as he was when he was released from the works!"

The Scotsman said nothing, but he was deeply hurt by the words. Polly, seeing the hurt written all over his face, immediately stepped in to defend him.

"Scotsman is one of our finest engines!" She shouted angrily at North eliciting an annoyed groan from Peony and some of the other engines.

Silver Fox just watched, confused and frightened by all the sudden shouting.

"He allows the Great Westerns to demean him! He's allowing this new hideous engine to take his job!" North yelled back furiously.

"How dare you insult our new engine!" Polly snarled. "She's only a few weeks old and you immediately start bullying her? What's wrong with you!"

Silver Fox began to cry which infuriated Polly further.

"Look, you've upset her!" She shouted angrily. "You've upset her like you always upset Scotsman when he was younger!"

"It's not my fault that they have no strength in their boiler!"

Scotsman suddenly gave a loud bellow of steam and began to steam out of the sheds. He didn't steam entirely out however and they watched as he was turned into Silver Fox's berth so he could go up to her.

"Hey there Silver Fox," he said kindly, speaking to her gently as if she was a child which she very much was. "How about you and I go somewhere quieter?"

Silver Fox sniffed before letting out a very small, "Alright."

He was coupled up to her and he pulled her from the sheds and silently the two travelled to Sir Gresley's workshop, Silver Fox occasionally sniffing.

The only engine there was the young Green Arrow who was fast asleep on a hoist.

Scotsman shunted her into a spare berth before quietly moving to sit beside her.

"Are you okay?" He asked her and Silver Fox sniffed.

"What did I do wrong?" She asked, speaking through unshed tears. "I'm sorry my presence caused a fight, I don't know what happened."

"It's not you Silver Fox," Scotsman assured her. "It's Great Northern. He for some reason hates me and I think he's taking it out on you. Polly gets very heated when she defends others. It often doesn't help the situation."

Silver Fox just stared at her buffers miserably.

"Maybe I shouldn't have been put onto your train," she said. "I just wanted to do an important job. When the director offered me the Flying Scotsman I was so happy. But, but I don't think I'm welcome. Maybe one of your siblings should have the job. I look too weird!"

Flying Scotsman gazed at her sadly. It was like himself, a decade ago, always upset after North's nasty remarks about him.

"The Flying Scotsman is myself and Polly's responsibility, not North's. He has no say in how we run our line," he said and Silver Fox gazed at him. "I'll speak to Sir Gresley to have Great Northern transferred away from my sheds, at least for a while, until you get settled."

"You don't have to do that for me," Silver Fox said quickly. "I don't mean to intrude."

"Think nothing of it," Scotsman assured her. "North used to say nasty things to me too. I used to come back to this workshop in tears when I was younger because of the horrible things he would say to me. I think it's time he finally took a break from being with the cool kids."

"Really?" Silver Fox sniffed.

Scotsman smiled at her. "Really."

"Thank-you Mr Flying Scotsman," Silver Fox said.

"It's Scotsman or Scott, Little Fox," Scotsman grinned and Silver Fox looked confused. "You can talk to me or Polly if you ever need help."

"Thank you Mr Scotsman, but I'm bigger than you," she said confused.

"That doesn't matter to me, Little Fox," Scotsman said with a playful smirk.

Silver Fox just pouted at him, forgetting her tears.

The Scotsman of the present smiled at the memory. It was a good one, one of a time when he truly felt a strength within himself and had started to find his confidence.

People relied on his discretion now and a lot of his siblings were tired of Great Northern's iron stronghold.

He was very unhappy that Silver Link or Spencer as he was now had beaten his record. But ultimately he decided to be the bigger person. Same with Pendennis Castle.

The same could not be said for the City of Truro. The second he'd first laid eyes on that engine he'd immediately started a fight with him, calling him a fake and a useless pile of scrap.

The two had been nothing but nasty towards one another in the old days. Scotsman saw him as a false record holder, a liar that threaten his crown. Truro had seen him as a young upstart, a foolish idiot who dared to challenge his supposed record.

Nowadays they couldn't care less. It had been Truro's claim that had saved him from scrapping and for that Scotsman was eternally grateful.

The memory also filled him with sadness. Pretty Polly had been his closest sibling for the longest time. They had run their line together and Silver Fox joining them had only strengthened their bond as they taught their new colleague.

Polly had taken Fox under her wing and treated her like a little sister, defending her from anyone and being so proud of her. Spencer had been so grateful to Polly. He constantly worried about the youngest Silver A4.

Polly would have adored Tornado. She would have been the best big sister she could ever hope for. He could only do the best he could however and try to be the best sibling he could for the young Peppercorn.

For Polly and for Tornado herself.

Scotsman froze as he became aware of a presence near him, also watching the memory.

It didn't feel like a ghost. This time it felt… different.

"Who's there?" He called out.

The presence seemed to flinch violently and move away from him quickly as if it had been caught. It wasn't the little red engine he sometimes caught watching him. This was something different.

"Huh," the Scotsman frowned as he felt this particular memory fade away.

A/N: It makes me sad knowing that Pretty Polly would have loved and cherished Tornado as a baby sister in the modern-day had she not been scrapped. This chapter is a little late as I've been busy recently. Please forgive if it comes off as a little rushed.

~For updates, extra lore or to ask questions or discuss the fic, you can find me on tumblr at tornadoyoungiron or on twitter as BakunawaArt.